[Open-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Denise]

Friends and family hold a memorial service for a victim of Tuesday's deadly shooting... as the search for the suspect continues.
(------------)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN 2191EssC]
And... Federal and local investigators want to know if you've seen this man. We'll tell you why.
(-------------)
[2-shot toss to Hello]

Charlene Ramsey worked at Our Lady of the Valley Retirement Center for only a year but she made an impression on everyone she worked with.
[SOT 3:24:30]
[INQ=]
((SHE CARED ABOUT PEOPLE SHE CARED ABOUT THE RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE LIKE THAT DON'T COME ALONG EVERYDAY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]

Charlene worked as a licensed practical nurse and touched many lives.
[SOT 3:19:39]
[INQ=]
((SHE BRIGHTENED MY MORNINGS AND DAYS AT WORK, SHE KEPT ME ON MY TOES AND STAYED ON ME...(CRYING)..))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 12]

But her family is having the hardest time dealing with the loss. Charlene leaves behind not only her mother, sister, and brother but her daughter Chaniqua.
[SOT 3:45:06]
[INQ=]
((CHARLOTTE RAMSEY: SHE'S ONLY 9 YEARS OLD SHE DON'T KNOW HOW TO ACCEPT IT RIGHT NOW SHE'S IN SHOCK, IT'S LIKE SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE IT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]

Right now police are searching for 29 year old Earl Allen Hale. While Hale has been formally charged he's been on the loose since the shooting.
Meanwhile the family believes Hale is the murderer, but they still have a hard time believing it went this far.
[SOT 3:43:35]
[INQ=]
((CHARLOTTE RAMSEY: I JUST WISH HE WOULD TURN HIMSELF IN IF NOT FOR THE FAMILY THEN FOR HER DAUGHTER SHE'S THE ONE WHO IS GOING TO TAKE IT HARD IN THE LONG RUN.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 12]

Family and friends will lay Charlene to rest on Tuesday at Michael Street Baptist Church. Kate Weidaw News 7 Roanoke.))

[11Reedy]

There was new activity yesterday in the case of a man convicted 13 years ago - for setting the fire that killed his own children.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Yesterday Davey Reedy was back in the same courtroom where he was sentenced to two life terms for arson and murder in 1988.
Reedy had been found competent to stand trial, but his new attorney says his mental status changed during the course of the trial.
His mother testified Davey was drinking as the trial progressed and had become suicidal.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT Tape #2 @14:34:05]
[IN Q=He told me]
((GERALDINE WHEELER/REEDY'S MOTHER; HE TOLD ME HE DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE, THAT HE HAD LOST EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD, THAT THERE WASN'T ANY REASON TO GO ON AND LIVE.))
[SUPER=01-Geraldine Wheeler/Reedy's Mother]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=go on and live.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Attorney Roberta Bondurant is asking judge Clifford Weckstein for a new trial.
(------------)

[11Hodges]

The hunt is on for a Roanoke man wanted on federal drug charges.
The Drug Enforcement Agency AND Roanoke Police...
(XXXXXXX)
[TAKE PICTURE FS]
are looking for 27-year old Christopher W. Hodges. His last known address is the 17-hundred block of Eastern Avenue, Northeast.
He goes by the nickname Chuckles.
(XXXXXXX)
[TAKE CRIMELINE FS]
Anyone with information on Hodges' whereabouts is asked to call Crimeline at 344-8500.
(-------------)

[11Bank-Robbery]

The B-B and-T in South Boston was robbed by two men yesterday afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Police say the two made off with an undisclosed amount of money.
Both suspects are black - one was wearing a jean jacket, blue jeans and a baseball hat.
The other had a goatee and wore a green fleece "Starter" warm-up jacket.
(------------)

[Karate]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Saturday a.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=Time Off #3 55:26]
[GRAPHIC=Time Off]
If you made a New Year's resolution to get in shape, quit smoking, or change any kind of habit, you are in good company.
But how do you plan to keep that promise to yourself?
In this week's Time Off, Shannon Young takes us to Botetourt County for a lesson in discipline.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Chris Ragone/Universal Kempo Karate; :20]
[SUPER=@Shannon2; :37 ]
[SUPER=01-Sybil Taylor/Kempo Karate Student; :56]
[SUPER=01-Dan Calloway/Kempo Karate Student; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:52]
[OUT Q=STD]
(([SOT NAT SND - Cindy throwing punches 16:10-16:13]
[RUNS= :03]
Attacking a New Year's resolution takes more than good intentions.
It takes will power, determination and practice...
All of which you'll find at the Kempo Karate studio at Botetourt fitness.
[SOT 29:46-30:02]
[IN Q=Our style of Kempo...]
((Our style of Kempo was born in the housing projects of Hawaii where you had a whole mix of races and they all had their family martial arts and there was a lot of racial strife, a lot of fighting going on. So basically, the Kempo styles were designed to, pretty much, defend yourself.))
[OUT Q=pretty much, defend yourself.]
[RUNS= :16]
Owner and Chief Instructor Chris Ragone likes Kempo because it incorporates skills from other martial arts including Aikido, Tae Kwan Do and kick-boxing.
Students of all ages like Kempo because it makes them sweat.
[SOT 14:35-14:39]
[IN Q=It's physical. (laughs)]
((It's physical (laughs).))
[OUT Q=physical (laughter).]
[RUNS= :04]
[SOT 12:10-12:18]
[IN Q=I hadn't done anything...]
((I hadn't done anything really, to help me physically. I was dieting but that wasn't enough. I needed something more.))
[OUT Q=needed something more.]
[RUNS= 08]
Sybil is a fifty-something purple belt who teams up with her daughter in law for sparring.
She and others have come a long way since first tying on a white belt.
[SOT 12:20-12:24]
[IN Q=It was rough...]
((It was rough at first. But then it gradually got easier.))
[OUT Q=got easier.]
[RUNS= :04]
[SOT 14:47-14:57]
[IN Q=It was... I was kinda scared...]
((It was... I was kinda scared that I couldn't learn the techniques. But practice made perfect so I eventually caught on to everything.))
[OUT Q=on to everything.]
[RUNS= :10]
[SOT 31:01-31:15]
[IN Q=We usually have...]
((We usually have three types of people that join. There're some that just want to defend themselves. There're some than just want the physical fitness aspects. And then there're people like me, you know... I live and breathe it.))
[OUT Q=live and breathe it.]
[RUNS= :14]
So, take a hint from these martial artists: determine your goal and stick with it.
[SOT 15:38-15:42]
[IN Q=Never say never...]
((Never say never and if you're determined you will be able to make it.))
[OUT Q=able to make it.]
[RUNS= :04]
Shannon Young, News 7, Botetourt County.))
(+++++++)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN]
If you would like to spend some of your Time Off learning the art of Kempo Karate - you can log onto our website at www.wdbj7.com.
(+++++++)

Jay you're a designer - I understand you've just been to France?
[super=01-Jay Reynolds/Panoply, Inc.]

What's hot in formal wear this year?
You've got a glimpse of the styles on display this weekend. Tell us about the designs you've brought with you.
Brenda - There's a trunk show today, right?
(++++++++)
[TAKE TRUNK SHOW FS - # 9600EssC]

Brenda ad libs - trunk show today from 10 to 5 at Amhrein's in both Roanoke and Salem
(++++++++)

And when is the Bridal show?
(+++++++++)
[TAKE BRIDAL SHOW FS 9601EssC]
Brenda ad libs - Bridal show from Noon to 5 Sunday at the Roanoke Civic Center Auditorium.
(+++++++++)
[TAKE BRIDAL SHOW TICKET FS # 9602EssC]
Tickets are $7.00 for adults, half that price for children ages 10 and under.
(+++++++++)

Thanks for joining us - News 7 Saturday Morning will be right back.
JACEY TOSSES TO BREAK!!!

[11Trigon-Hospital]

Some extended hope for those with Trigon insurance in Henry County and Martinsville.
The company and Memorial Hospital have put an extension on their old contract in hopes that a new one can be reached.

Negotiations will now continue until February 28th.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/File Tape]

The 21-thousand Trigon members in Henry County and Martinsville will have network access to the hospital.
And the extension will be retroactive.
That means any claims made between January 1st and 5th will paid at the "in-network" level.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[SS=None]

The two sides say they are optimistic that a new mutually acceptable contract can be achieved by the time the temporary agreement ends.
But they are not releasing any details about the negotiations.

[Addiction]

The abuse of some prescription drugs is apparently making it harder for those who really need the medication - to get it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

For Jeanette Murray, who is a registered nurse, dealing with chronic pain has become a part of daily life.
She suffered a nerve injury two years ago after falling on her wrist.
Besides taking oxycontin, she also goes to therapy three times a week at Professional Therapies in Christiansburg.
She says the illicit use of prescription drugs on the streets--makes it difficult for the legitimate patients to have access to it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT11:31:04]
[IN Q=Anybody that has pain it's an]
(( ANYBODY THAT HAS PAIN IT'S AN AUTOMATIC ASSUMPTION THAT YOU'RE JUST SEEKING DRUGS AND IF YOU'RE SEEKING DRUGS YOU MUST BE A CRIMINAL, THEY JUST CAN'T IMAGINE SOMEONE COULD BE A LEGITIMATE PAIN PATIENT ESPECIALLY FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT I HAVE SUFFERED))
[SUPER=07-Jeanette Murray]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=that i have suffered]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Doctor Conrad Daum says doctors are concerned about prescribing some prescription drugs because there in no real way of weeding out the criminal from people who legitimately need it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT22:22:12]
[IN Q=We can be reprimanded]
((WE CAN BE REPRIMANDED OR EVEN HAVE OR LICENSE SUSPENDED IF WE'RE CARELESS ABOUT HOW PRESCRIBE ADDICTIVE MEDICATION - A LOT OF DOCTORS ARE RELUCTANT PERIOD TO PRESCRIBE THESE MEDICINES ))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Conrad Daum/Addiction Doctor;]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=these medicines]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Murray says she is starting a support group for chronic pain sufferers.
She hopes to send a message to doctors and the public that there are people out there who are really in pain -- and rely on the medication just to tolerate the hurt.
(-------------)

[Sports-Plays]

A dream game for Chris Weber. He scored 51 points and grabbed 26 rebounds, but his Sacramento Kings still fell to the Indiana Pacers 93-91 in overtime.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sacramento, CA/NBA;]

Jermaine O'Neal with the 360 spin on the baseline for the score led the Pacers with 20.
Webber scored all his points in regulation. This three point played tied it. He missed two shots in overtime as the Pacers outscored the Kings 4-to-2 in the extra
session.
Jalen Rose had 19 for Indiana and hit two layups in O-T. The Pacers beat Sacramento 93-91 in overtime.
(------------)

[2Open-Heads]

Coming up......A Lynchburg murder suspect is captured outside of the state. .
(------------)
[vo-nat]
And .. new information reveals seven Texas prison inmates may have made their escape during an unsupervised picnic.

More on those stories just ahead.
(-------------)

[2-shot hello]

[Clinton]

President Clinton is staying busy in his final days in office.
But as Gretchen Carlson reports - many of his final political moves as President may be overturned when George W. Bush takes office.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ari Fleischer/Bush Spokesperson; :25]
[SUPER=01-Stephen Hess/Brookings Institution; :39]
[SUPER=01-Gretchen Carlson/Reporting; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=the White House]
((
(TRACK 1)
President Clintons personal papers are being boxed up and heading out
of Washington -- but the physical move from the White House isn't
stopping Clinton from making political moves.
(SOT) Clinton

(TRACK 2)
The latest; a ban on logging and development on nearly 60-million acres
of national forest. Its just one in a string of last minute executive
orders irritating Republicans.
(SOT-13:14:31) Ari Fleischer/Bush Spokesperson
This administration has in its final days been a busy beaver, and we
will review all regulations and executive orders upon coming into office
on January 20th.
(TRACK 4)
While every President makes these sorts of changes, political analyst
Stephen Hess says Clinton is doing more than most.
(SOT -12:28:32) Stephen Hess/Brookings Institution
This President seems to be doing it with more verve and more flair.
(TRACK 5)

In just the last month, Clinton issued new workplace safety regulations
- something Bush would oppose.
He also bypassed the Senate, appointing Roger Gregory as the first black
to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
And he changed the Presidential limo license plates to support the
Democratic view that Washington should have a voting member in Congress.
(SOT) Hess 12:30:39
I suspect on January 20th, at about 12:01, a minute after 12, the
license plate will go back to what it was before.
(STAND-UP CLOSE) Gretchen Carlson Reporting

This is what happens when a Democrat leaves the White House and a
Republican moves in, but the question is: how politically tough will it
be for Bush to undo Clintons final Presidential acts. Gretchen Carlson,
CBS News, Washington.
))

[11Kilgore]

A Southwest Virginia politician isn't giving up hope of becoming the state Attorney General.
Jerry Kilgore may have been number two in the hearts of Virginia Republicans the last time around...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

But four years later, the former state public safety secretary is back, running again to be the state's top cop.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:26:15]
[IN Q=Four years]
((JERRY KILGORE/(R) ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATE: FOUR YEARS AGO, I ANNOUNCED A STANDARD OF ETHICS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH, AND I'LL ONCE AGAIN...VIRGINIA'S ELECTORAL PROCESS.))
[SUPER=01-Jerry Kilgore/(R) Attorney General Candidate;]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=electoral process.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Kilgore is from Gate City in far southwest Virginia.
He's a former state and federal prosecutor.
His wife is Jim Gilmore's Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.
(------------)
[TALENT=Denise]
[SS=HOLD]

Kilgore may face former Richmond City Council member John Conrad for the G-O-P nomination.

[11Robey]

A man wanted for a Lynchburg murder is behind bars this morning - in Maryland.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

19-year old Rahmon Rashad Robey was arrested yesterday morning in Baltimore on outstanding warrants for murder and use of a firearm.
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Lynchburg police had been looking for Robey since November 7th, when he allegedly gunned down Leon Alphonzo Strange inside the Sunshine Market.
Robey is being held in Maryland pending an extradition hearing.
(------------)

[Carruth]

A former girlfriend of professional football player Rae Carruth says he threatened to kill her when she became pregnant, and that he forced her to have an abortion.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC;]

Yesterday Amber Turner testified Carruth threatened to send someone to kill her.
Carruth is on trial for allegedly arranging the murder of Cherica Adams in November of 1999.
Prosecutors say the former Carolina Panther did not want to support their child, who she was carrying.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=he]
[SUPER=01-Amber Turner/Former Carruth Girlfriend;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=kill you]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Defense lawyers say Adams was killed after Carruth backed out of a drug deal.
Carruth could get the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder.
(------------)

[TX-Manhunt]

A television station is reporting seven inmates escaped from a Texas prison last month after they were allowed to have an unsupervised picnic.
A Houston T-V station obtained a Texas Department of Criminal Justice report outlining what happened.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

According to the report, ten civilian workers and a guard went to lunch after letting the inmates spread out their own meal picnic-style.
When the prison employees got back, the convicts briefly took them hostage and made their getaway.
The seven escaped prisoners, including two convicted killers are still on the loose. They're suspected in the death of a Dallas-area police officer.
(------------)
[anchor=Denise]
[ss=None]

A spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice says he can't be sure the memo obtained by the television station is authentic.

[Reel-Promo]

This week marked the 15-th anniversary of the morning the search for a Pennsylvania murder suspect came to a violent end in the Roanoke Valley.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT from 599-5 TC 39:18]
[IN Q=Police say]
((39:18 - Police say the 3 suspects then fled on foot to a residence on Skyview Dr. in Rke Co - 39:23 - and apparently killed one person and stole a van in the getaway attempt))
(( 37:42 -- Officials say the 3 shot themselves shortly before wrecking around 3am on South I-81))
[super=21-Steve Stock/Reporting; :00]
[SUPER=21-Roanoke Co./January 3, 1986; :03]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=on South I-81]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
But as the story unfolded on January 3rd, 1986 - authorities realized they had 2 suspects - NOT three.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT from 599-5 TC 40:09]
[IN Q=State Police]
((40:09 -- DREW: STATE POLICE NOW SAY THE WOMAN WHO WAS KILLED IN THE VAN WAS TAKEN HOSTAGE SHE WAS TAKEN FROM THE HOUSE IN THE 900 BL OF SKYVIEW DR - 40:16 ))
[SUPER=21-Drew Levinson/January 3, 1986]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=of Skyview Drive.]
(------------)
[vo-nat]
Tomorrow on Virginia Newsreel - a look back at the series of confrontations on Interstate 81 that ended only after the deaths of a Virginia state trooper, a Roanoke County couple and the men who killed them.
(------------)

[Les-Brown]

The man The Guiness Book of World Records recognized as the leader of the longest lasting musical organization in pop music history has died.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=brass D and E]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=music warm ups]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Les Brown and his Band of Renown scored a No. 1 hit with ``Sentimental Journey'' during America's big band era.
Les Brown died Thursday of lung cancer. He was 88.
He was still touring and performing swing music about 60 dates a year as recently as five months ago.
Brown formed his Band of Renown in 1936. He co-wrote ``Sentimental Journey,'' which was sung by Doris Day.
(------------)

[Tease#2]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[SS=None]
[BOTH MICS HOT]
There's something rotten in the state of Denmark - or - make that - in the state of Virginia.
Still ahead - Ellen Qualls sniffs out the smelly story at the state Capitol.
[ANCHOR=Jacey]
And... celebrity
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
newlyweds appear on the big screen together -
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT from Movie Clips TC 2:56:14]
[IN Q=WE NEED TO TAKE DOWN]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=TO SEND A MESSAGE]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Will movie-goers get the message? Anna Wentworth checks out "Traffic" - still ahead.
But first if YOU are traveling today........
[Jacey ad-lib the travel forecast -- WX PRO]
(-------------)

[6Capitol-Smell]

There's a new spin on Hamlet in Richmond - because something's rotten in the State Capitol.
And for people who work there - it's definitely more of a tragedy than a comedy.
Ellen Qualls reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They can squirt]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Nancy Worrell/Capitol Worker; :19]
[SUPER=01-Nancy Kidder/Capitol Worker; :30]
[SUPER=@Ellen1; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Donald Williams/Department of General Services; 1:14]
[RUNS=1:58]
[OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.]
(([nat sot spray]

They can squirt all they want.
The air freshener doesn't really help.
It's still a double Advil afternoon for the women of the Legislative Automated Services department.
[sot 10:55:54 ]
((NANCY WORRELL/STATE CAPITOL WORKER: WELL THEY IMMEDIATELY OPEN THE DOOR AND THE FIRST COMMENT IS IT STINKS IN HERE.))
[runs:04 ]
[sot 10:56:04 ]
((NANCY WORRELL/STATE CAPITOL WORKER: I'M THE FIRST PERSON THEY SEE WHEN THEY OPEN ... MAKE ME FEEL REAL GOOD. chuckle.))
[runs:06 ]
The combination sewer-natural gas smell doesn't make Nancy Kidder feel real good either.
[sot 11:00:43 ]
((NANCY KIDDER/STATE CAPITOL WORKER: LAST WEDNESDAY I CAME IN AND IT HAD BEEN SHUT UP...HORRIFIC HEADACHE.))
[runs:20 ]
Last year, the funk got so bad, they installed ceiling fans to move it around.
They light candles, hoping it will help.
They even arrange a little potpourri around their computers.
[sot STANDUP 11:43:38 ]
((NO ONE IS IMMUNE FROM THE FUMES...SEWAGE FUMES.))
[runs:16 ]
[sot 12:03:15 ]
((DONALD WILLIAMS/DEPT. OF GENERAL SERVICES: WE KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM...MASKING THE ODOR. BUT THAT REALLY DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM.))
[runs:08 ]
[sot 11:00:11 ]
((NANCY KIDDER/STATE CAPITOL WORKER: ANYBODY THAT WALKS IN USUALLY WILL SAY IT SMELLS...WANNA HEAR THE STORY ABOUT THE STINKIN' ROOM?))
[runs:11 ]
So until the centuries-old pipe that's the culprit can be located underneath one of Virginia's most historic treasures... maybe just a draft would help.
[sot 10:56:55 ]
((NANCY WORRELL/STATE CAPITOL WORKER: I CALLED YESTERDAY TO BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.... BUT THEY'RE STUCK.))
[runs:10 ]
The politicians return next week.
Grounds crews will be handing out the sprays and pouring peppermint oil in the vents.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

[211E-Toys]

The internet toy retailer announced Thursday it was slashing its work force nationwide and closing its European operations.
That restructuring included laying off thirty seven workers at its Blairs facility.
EToys stock has lost more than 99 percent of its value in the past year.
(------------)

[Diebold-Cuts]

A Staunton factory is shutting down - leaving 48 people without jobs.
Officials with the A-T-M manufacturer Diebold say the shutdown is the result of recent acquisitions in Europe and South America... which will fulfill Diebold's production needs.
The company processes sheet metal for automatic teller machines.
Diebold says a few of the Staunton workers WILL be offered other jobs with the company.

[11Potomac-Air]

With trays down and seats in an upright position - a new airline made its maiden voyage yesterday.
Potomac Air is a subsidiary of U-S -Airways and its headquarters are in Roanoke.
News 7 business reporter Jennifer Miele has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound, may I have your attention]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bob Brayton/Potomac Air; :21 ]
[SUPER=01-Susan Lewis/Potomac Air; :58]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=JM News 7, Roanoke.]
(([NAT SOUND]
[tcL00:08:01]
((MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE, I AM NOW READY TO BEGIN BOARDING US AIRWAYS EXPRESS FLIGHT OPERATED BY POTOMAC AIR.))
[RUNS05]
Big news for a relatively little airport.
A new airline, headquartered in Roanoke, is now servicing passengers between Roanoke, Washington D.C. and Greensboro.
It's called Potomac Air, and its managers mean business.
[SOT]
((BOB BRAYTON/POTOMAC AIR: IT USUALLY TAKES ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO BUILD A ROUTE AND WE'LL CERTAINLY GIVE IT ALL THE TIME IT NEEDS TO PROVE ITSELF.))
[RUNS06]
Passengers are walking on air... they can get round trip tickets to Washington for less than a hundred bucks... just buy purchasing their ticket at the airport.
[SOT]
[TC:00:03:27]
((OH IT WAS WONDERFUL, THEY TREATED US LIKE ROYALTY, ROSES AND THE WHOLE BIT.))
[RUNS05]

All maintenance and operations for Potomac Air are based in Roanoke.
The airline hand picked its employees, and trained them IN Roanoke.
So far, Potomac Air employs 120 employees and most of them are FROM Roanoke.
[SOT]
((SUSAN LEWIS/POTOMAC AIR: IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE JUST UP AND GROWING, A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY. IT'S A ONCE IN A LIFE TIME OPPORTUNITY TO GET ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF AN AIRLINE.))
[RUNS10]
[STAND UP]
((JENNIFER MIELE/REPORTING: POTOMAC AIR HOPES TO BRING MORE THAN JUST AN INFLUX OF PASSENGERS TO ROANOKE... IT'S CREW BASE NEEDS HOMES, THEIR FAMILIES NEED JOBS, AND FOR EMPLOYEES ALREADY IN ROANOKE, THE AIRLINE IS JUST THE TICKET. JENNIFER MIELE, NEWS 7.))
[RUNS10] ))